New York Jets CEO Christopher Johnson says the team will not discourage its players from kneeling during the national anthem despite the NFL's new policy.

Rich Cimini ESPN Staff Writer

Christopher Johnson's pro-player comments on the NFL's new national-anthem policy might not be received well among fellow owners and CEOs, but they reinforced why he's so popular in the Jets' locker room. The players have a genuine respect for Johnson, who has devoted many hours of his time to listening and helping them in their fight for social justice. You may not agree with his stance, but the people under his employ — the players — believe he gets it. You wonder how older brother/owner Woody Johnson, who works for Donald Trump as the ambassador to the UK, would be handling this polarizing matter.

share

Rich Cimini ESPN Staff Writer

Jets CEO Christopher Johnson on the NFL's new national-anthem policy: "I plan to sit in the very near future with coach Bowles and our players to discuss today's decision regarding the national anthem. As I have in the past, I will support our players wherever we land as a team. Our focus is not on imposing any club rules, fines or restrictions. Instead we will continue to work closely with our players to constructively advance social justice issues that are important to us. I remain extremely proud of how we demonstrated unity last season as well as our players' commitment to strengthening our communities."

Jon Gruden expressed admiration for Christian Hackenberg on his QB Camp show in 2016. Now, the Raiders coach has acquired Hackenberg from the Jets.

Rich Cimini ESPN Staff Writer

Top takeaways from Jets' first practice,:Teddy Bridgewater moved well in limited action. Sam Darnold was in full growing-pains mode. WR Terrelle Pryor, who recently injured his surgically repaired ankle, didn't practice. He could miss some time. WR Quincy Enunwa (neck) ran full speed in positional drills, but no team period. CB Buster Skrine was ahead of Mo Claiborne. Rookie TE Chris Herndon showed nice body control on a body-twisting catch in the deep seam.

share

Rich Cimini ESPN Staff Writer

While reporting a story last year on Jets assistant Jeremy Bates, I asked then-ESPN analyst Jon Gruden about Christian Hackenberg. It provides insight into today's trade. Gruden: "I put a lot of stock in coaching. Mike Holmgren did a lot for Brett Favre. Atlanta didn't think much of Brett Favre. A lot of QBs in this league are where they are because someone gives them a shot, someone works with them and someone coaches them. Guys just don't show up off the street, win a Punt, Pass & Kick contest and play quarterback in this league. Coaching is a huge part of it. Can this kid throw the ball like he did as a freshman at Penn State? Can he regain his confidence? I don't know, nobody knows. But if he can, they're going to develop it, that's what I do know." That didn't happen with the Jets. Now Gruden gets his shot.

share

Hackenberg gets fresh start with Raiders (1:22)

Rich Cimini ESPN Staff Writer

The Jets finally admitted it was a mistake to draft Christian Hackenberg, trading him to the Raiders for a conditional 2019 seventh-round pick. It had to be done. He had no future with the Jets, who moved on when they drafted Sam Darnold. He will go down as one of the biggest second-round busts in history. He didn't play a down in two seasons with the Jets.

Teddy Bridgewater, who is attempting to come back from a horrific knee injury, was a full participant in his first Jets practice on Tuesday.

0:18

Rich Cimini ESPN Staff Writer

Jets QB Teddy Bridgewater looked sharp in his first practice. It was only nine reps, but he threw well on the run. Not bad, considering his long road back from knee surgery.

share

Rich Cimini ESPN Staff Writer

Observations from Jets practice: Shaky debut for rookie QB Sam Darnold, who led all QBs with 21 reps (all with backups). He completed only two of 10 passes in team drills, plus two sacks. He was indecisive in the pocket, double clutching on a few occasions. There were a handful of miscommunications with his receivers. Teddy Bridgewater (nine reps with the backups) looked sharp, especially when throwing on the move — a positive sign in his recovery from knee surgery in 2016. Josh McCown led the way with 13 reps, all with the first team.

share

Rich Cimini ESPN Staff Writer

Former Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater is a full participant in his first Jets practice, working behind incumbent Josh McCown. Bridgewater (2), attempting to come back from a horrific knee injury, has run a few bootleg passes in which he showed no ill effects from his injury — definitely the most positive takeaway from practice No. 1.

AT 24, Nathan Shepherd has more mileage on his tires than most NFL rookies, but his days of "scraping by" are finally over.

Rich Cimini ESPN Staff Writer

A few things I'll be watching (other than Sam Darnold and the QBs) in the Jets' first OTA practice today: The participation level of players coming off injuries — WR Quincy Enunwa, C Spencer Long, RG Brian Winters, WR Terrelle Pryor, TE Jordan Leggett, S Marcus Maye, LB Lorenzo Mauldin and rookie TE Chris Herndon. I'll be curious to see key newcomers such as RB Isaiah Crowell and CB Trumaine Johnson, along with the rotation on the defensive line. And, of course, the QB rotation. Did I mention that already?

share

Rich Cimini ESPN Staff Writer

The Jets have signed fourth-round pick Chris Herndon, a tight end from Miami. Only one draft pick remains unsigned — Sam Darnold.

The Sam Darnold-Mark Sanchez comparisons run deep. What makes the Jets think that this USC first-round quarterback will be their franchise QB?

Rich Cimini ESPN Staff Writer

The Jets have signed third-round pick Nathan Shepherd, a defensive lineman from Fort Hays State. It's a four-year contract for the slotted amount of $3.4 million. His days of working 12-hour shifts in a factory are over.

share

Rich Cimini ESPN Staff Writer

Former Jets QB Chad Pennington, appearing this morning on "Get Up!" with Mike Greenberg, offered big praise for Sam Darnold: "I think he has an amazing future ahead of him. I think he's in a perfect situation, going to New York with Josh McCown, Teddy Bridgewater. He gets a chance to be patient ... This needs to be a long-term process for Sam and the Jets, but I think they set themselves up nicely with a quarterback who can lead them in the future for a long time to come, there's no doubt about it."